What is fatigue?
Fatigue is an overall feeling of tiredness or weakness that can be both mental or physical. Fatigue isn’t the same as feeling sleepy, and usually leaves one exhausted.
Fatigue itself is not a medical condition, but is usually a symptom of something that’s not working right in your body (and lifestyle). Fatigue is associated with many different conditions and lifestyle factors.
What causes fatigue?
Causes of fatigue can be generally categorized into 3 areas:
Physical health
Medical conditions and diseases can cause fatigue. Some examples include
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Eating disorders
- Thyroid-related issues
- Anemia
- Sleep disorders
Certain long-term medications can also cause fatigue.
Mental health
Mental issues related to depression, anxiety, stress, emotional burnout, or life events can result in a chronic feeling of fatigue.
Lifestyle factors
Leading a stressful and busy lifestyle could be causing you to constantly feel tired. Some lifestyle habits which could result in fatigue are:
- Constant lack of sleep
- Being overweight
- Consuming alcohol on a regular basis
- Poor diet
- Stressful environment
What are signs and symptoms of fatigue?
The main signs of fatigue differ between physical or mental fatigue.
A person suffering from physical fatigue might not have the energy to perform simple daily tasks, such as climbing the stairs or getting out the house. Key symptoms are
- muscle weakness
- aching or sore muscles
- slower response time
- visual problems such as blurring of vision
Those suffering from mental fatigue may find it difficult to concentrate or stay awake. You may also find your eyes closing involuntarily when staring at the computer screen or mobile screen. Irritability and moodiness are also symptoms of mental fatigue.
How does chiropractic help with fatigue?
A common misconception is that chiropractic only addresses problems along the spine (like neck and back pain). Chiropractors are thus not the first to mind when it comes to issues relating to tiredness and fatigue.
However, when your nervous system (the system that helps your brain send signals to all parts of your body) is impacted, it could be what’s causing you to feel tired all the time. Chiropractic thus focuses on spinal alignment and optimal nervous flow to address low energy levels.
How many chiropractic sessions do I need to manage my fatigue?
Chiropractic is not a quick-fix for fatigue, and one adjustment will not solve the problem. Think about your teeth – it took them years to be misaligned and it takes a long process through bracing to get back the proper alignment. Likewise, it takes time for your body and nervous system to respond to chiropractic adjustments and feel the relief you seek.
The number of adjustments required to find relief depends on the following:
Severity of your condition
How your body responds to adjustments
How regularly you come for your adjustments
We have helped many members who find relief after their first few adjustments, while others take a few months.
At Chiropractic Singapore, our focus is to address the root cause of the problem, typically through regular adjustments (e.g. 1-2 times per week) and a tailored exercise & stretch plan over a few months.
When should I do a check-up for my fatigue?
If you have made significant efforts to address lifestyle causes such as poor sleep, poor diet, and stress factors without success and your fatigue has been persisting for more than a few weeks, you should come in for a check-up. It is important to address the root cause of your fatigue to prevent it from worsening.
At Chiropractic Singapore, our chiropractors are trained to understand if your spinal misalignment is causing fatigue, and recommend if and how chiropractic can help.
Note: The above information is not a substitute for a diagnosis or any form of medical care. Symptoms and treatments differ from person to person, and one should consult a chiropractor for an accurate diagnosis and recommendation.
